Drugs Used for Medical Management of Mast Cell Tumors

Brooke Britton, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology), BluePearl Veterinary Partners, New York, New York

ArticleLast Updated July 202214 min readPeer Reviewed
gloved hand touching a mast cell tumor in a dog

Mast cell tumors (MCTs) are common skin and subcutaneous tumors in dogs and cats that can also less commonly occur as primary tumors within viscera. Degranulation of neoplastic mast cells (randomly or with tumor manipulation) can result in release of histamine, heparin, cytokines, and other vasoactive amines from tumor cell granules,1-3 the sequelae of which may include local tissue reactions (eg, erythema and wheal formation [ie, Darier sign], bruising, edema, tumor surface ulceration) and systemic adverse effects (eg, vomiting, diarrhea, melena or hematochezia, coagulopathy, gastric ulceration, arrhythmias, respiratory distress secondary to effusion, peripheral edema, hypotension, fever).3-6

Therapeutic approaches should focus on reducing the risk for severe or life-threatening complications secondary to MCT degranulation.

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The following drugs are typically used in patients with clinical signs likely due to MCTs, prior to surgical manipulation or tumor sampling (eg, via fine-needle aspiration), or when gross disease is present, as in situ degranulation is an ongoing risk.

H1 Antagonists/Antihistamine Agents

Diphenhydramine

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